HSE/NW/108/06. GNN141306P. 29 November 2006

Chorley firm pays £118,000 after death of Wigan employee

A Chorley company was today fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £18,895 full costs after pleading guilty yesterday to three criminal charges brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the death of an employee, 21-year-old Daryl Wayne Lloyd from Whelley in Wigan, in a tow tractor incident.

Rosemary Leese Weller, the HSE inspector who investigated the case, said: "Daryl's death was entirely preventable by simple health and safety precautions such as provision of a well maintained vehicle, properly maintained floor surface and by ensuring sufficient training in its use. Every year about 50 people are killed in accidents involving workplace transport. This particular accident illustrates the importance of employers providing safe sites, safe vehicles and safe drivers."

Pin Croft Dyeing and Printing Co Limited was fined a total of £100,000 after pleading guilty to three charges:

• Under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in that they failed to ensure the safety of employee Daryl Wayne Lloyd;
• Under Regulation 3(1) (a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 in that they failed to make a suitable assessment of the risks to Daryl's health and safety; and

• That they breached regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) in that they failed to ensure that the tow tractor being driven by Daryl was maintained in efficient working order.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 sets out the responsibilities of employers and employees with regard to safety in the workplace.
2. Section 2(1) of the HSWA states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
3. Regulation 3 (1) (a) of the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999 states:
   Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work.
4. Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 requires an employer to ensure its equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair.
5. Every year, about 50 people are killed in accidents involving workplace transport. These type of accidents also cause more that 1500 major injuries and about 3500 injuries that cause people to be off work for more than three days.
6. Guidance for employers is provided in HSG136 "Workplace transport safety" available from HSE Books.

Public enquiries

HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk/